History:

The history of the Economic Faculty began with the foundation of Karaganda State University. In 1972, the Faculty of Economics and Law was opened at Karaganda State University. The educational process was provided by three specialized departments of Economics and Logistics Planning; Finance and Credit; Statistics and Accounting.

Since the 1974-75 academic year, the Economic Faculty has become independent. With the development of the environment, the Faculty underwent a structural reorganization due to the emergence of new departments, including the Departments of Monetary Circulation and Credit; Economic Geography and Sectoral Economies (70s); Economics and Planning of Industries and Territories; Political Economy (80s); Economics and Foreign Economic Activity; Accounting and Analysis of Economic Activity; Economic Theory (90s).

In accordance with the Amendments dated 08.12.2025 to the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 648 dated 07.05.2001, the Karaganda Research University named after Academician E.A. Buketov was awarded the status of a national university, confirming its leading role in the country's educational and scientific spheres.

Professors Abdrazakov T.A., Ormanbayev A.Zh., Karakesov K.K., Aubakirova A.A., Alimbayev A.A., Seitkasimov G.S., Yelemessov R.E., Andarova R.K., Amenova S.S.; associate professors Karamzin N.A., Sagindykov U.S., Zevakov A.M., Suleimenova S. A., etc were at the origins of the faculty.

The heads of the faculty in different years were:

- 1972-1974 - Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor T.A. Abdrazakov;

- 1974-1986 - Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor K.K. Karakesov;

- 1986-1988 - Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor N.A. Karamzin;

- 1988-1990 - Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor A.Zh. Ormanbayev;

- 1990-1993 - Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor B.K. Kazhykarimov;

- 1993-1995 - Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor A. A. Temirbulatov;

- 1995-1999 - Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor S.M. Omirbayev;

- 1999-2000 - Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor R.S. Karenov;

- 2000-2001 - Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor A.A. Alimbayev;

- 2001-2004 - Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor S.N. Alpysbaeva;

- 2004-2019 - Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor B.S. Yessengeldin.

- 2014-2015 - Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor A.K. Kalykov

- 2015-2019 - Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor B.S. Yessengeldin.

- 2019 - 2023 - Candidate of Economic Sciences, Professor Zh.S. Khussainova.

- 2023-2024 - PhD, Associate Professor A.N. Lambekova

From May 2024 to the present, the dean is Candidate of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor E.T. Akbaev.

Students:

The contingent of students is 1000 people, about 20% of which are on a state educational grant, which indicates a high level of trust on the part of the state and society.

The average number of applicants entering the faculty's programs annually is in the range of 180-230 people. The average increase of students in the faculty's specialties over the past three years was 25%, which indicates the demand and relevance of educational programs. The geography of students is represented by all regions of Kazakhstan, as well as near and far abroad: Russia, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, and Germany.

Students of the faculty annually become holders of presidential scholarships, scholarships of the First President's Foundation, scholarships from representatives of the business sector, prize-winners of subject international and national Olympiads, scientific and creative competitions.

Teachers:

Currently, the faculty employs more than 100 teachers with academic degrees of doctors, candidates of sciences, PhD and masters of sciences, of which 12 are holders of the title of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan "Best University Teacher". Representatives of the business community also work part-time, which has a positive effect on the practical component of the disciplines taught.

Educational programs:

- 14 bachelor's degree programs, 11 Master's degree programs, 4 PhD doctoral programs;

- 3 innovative Master's degree programs: "Strategic HR Management", "Forensic Audit and Analytics" (innovative, specialized Master's degree), "Managerial and Financial Analytics (executive MBA)"

- Multilingual educational program: "Tourism".

Dual degree programs:

"Economic Security" (jointly with the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, Russia), "Project Management" (jointly with the Wyższa Szkoła Biznesu - National-Louis University, Poland).

Dissertation Council:

There is a dissertation council for the defense of dissertations for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of the profile in the educational program 8D041 - Business and Management: 8D04101 - Economics/specialty 6D050600 – Economics.

Accreditation and leadership:

All programs of the faculty have national accreditation and occupy worthy positions in national rankings:

Employment opportunities:

The average percentage of employment in bachelor's degree programs is about 85%, in master's and doctoral programs -100%.

Alumnus:

Many graduates of the faculty have made a successful career in the profession:

Bulekpaev Ermaganbet Kabdulovich – Akim of the Karaganda region, graduated in 1996 with a Specialty in “Finance and Credit”;

Anuar Muratovich Akhmetzhanov – Deputy Chairman of the Management Board for Strategy and Digitalization at JSC “NC ”Kazakhstan Temir Zholy", 1996 graduate with a specialty in “International Economic Relations”;

Taubaev Ayapbergen Aldanaevich – Rector of Esil University (Astana), 1995 graduate with a specialty in “Finance and Credit”;

Bukennov Altintore Zhangeldyevich – Chairman of the City Maslikhat of Karaganda, 1995 graduate with a specialty in “Finance and Credit”;

Turumbayev Talgat Yeralevich – Member of the Board of Directors of Kusto Group, 1994 graduate with a specialty in “Accounting, Control, and Analysis of Economic Activities”;

Zhumatov Mereke Kairullayevich – certified accountant-practitioner (САР), auditor of the Republic of Kazakhstan, trainer-teacher in IFRS and DipIFR (Rus) with more than 20 years of training experience, 1995 graduate with a specialty in “Accounting and Auditing”;

Kulpeisov Yernar Daulovich – Director of Karaganda Region Chamber of Entrepreneurs, 2002 graduate with a specialty in “Economics”;

Nagaspayev Yersaiyn Kairgazievich – Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 2001 graduate with a specialty in “International Economic Relations”.

Partners:

Higher School of Economics in Prague (Czech Republic)

Hong Kong Polytechnic University (Hong Kong)

Gorno-Altaisk State University (Russia)

Charles University (Czech Republic)

University of Ljubljana (Slovenia)

Omsk State University named after F. M. Dostoevsky (Russia)

Russian State University of Tourism and Service (Russia)

Peter the Great Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University (Russia)

St. Petersburg State University of Economics (Russia)

University of Vilnius (Lithuania)

Babes Boliai University (Romania)

Tomas Bata University in Zlin (Czech Republic)

University of Deusto (Spain)

University of L'Aquila (Italy)

University of Economics in Katowice (Poland)

Projects:

The Faculty of Economics implements republican grant projects (funded by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan):

- Republican project "AR26197239 "The impact and assessment of artificial intelligence on labor productivity as a driver of the development of the Kazakh economy" (Customer – Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan; 2025-2027; head – PhD, Associate Professor, Professor of the Department of Management Omarova A.T.);

- Republican project NPH BR 28511965 "Development of a new model of the residential environment based on the urban concept of Neo-nomadism and ethnic diversity" Customer – Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan; 2025-2026; head – PhD, Associate Professor, Professor of the Department of Management Omarova A.T.).

Institutes and Centers of the Faculty:

Economic Faculty has an Institute for Digital Economy Research. Within the framework of the Institute's activities, students and undergraduates of the departments have the opportunity to participate in the implementation of grant research projects, in competitions of scientific papers and subject Olympiads, to publish joint articles in leading scientific journals of the near and far abroad.